214 G. CHEN
transmission network that can transmit 1000 kilovolts or more over long
distances.
Wind and solar only generate electricity when the wind is blowing
or the sun is shining, and the energy produced from these renewables
fluctuates daily according to the varying meteorological conditions. Intermittent wind and solar cannot be stockpiled in the absence of energy
storage systems and must also be used when available, as otherwise
they lose energy potentials (Evans et al. 2012, p. 4141). Such load
balancing can be addressed with pumped-hydroelectric storage, where
water is pumped to a higher elevation during low demand, and then
released through turbines to produce electricity when required. Nevertheless, specific geographic conditions, including a suitable terrain that
can accommodate an elevated reservoir, are required for the application
of such storage technology. China was targeting 40 GW of pumpedhydroelectric storage by 2020 as part of ongoing efforts to cut high
rates of wind and solar power curtailment (PVTECH 2019). Besides,
the abovementioned hydrogen technology has been discussed in China
as a potential storage solution for intermittent wind and solar electricity
generation, which can overcome the geographic constraint linked to the
construction of pumped-hydroelectric storage projects.
Due to the inconvenient locations of most hinterland wind and solar
power plants, China has been making a big bet on offshore wind power
projects that are at the doorsteps of its coastal industrial bases. The 12th
five-year special plan of wind power technology development formulated
by the Ministry of Science and Technology included the key technologies research and development of high power wind turbines, such as
“10 MW wind turbine overall design technology,” “3–5 MW permanent
magnet direct drive (PMDD) wind turbine industrialization technology”
and “7 MW-class wind turbine development and industrialization technology” (Wu et al. 2014, pp. 454–455). China has already had the
ability to design and manufacture large-scale offshore wind turbines, with
hoisting and trial operation for 6 MW offshore wind turbines having
been completed. Nevertheless, as compared to onshore wind power, the
development of offshore wind power is still facing difficulties in building
power transmission, harnessing offshore harsh natural environments and
fulfilling multi-sectoral coordination and management.
transmission network that can transmit 1000 kilovolts or more over long
distances.
Wind and solar only generate electricity when the wind is blowing
or the sun is shining, and the energy produced from these renewables
fluctuates daily according to the varying meteorological conditions. Intermittent wind and solar cannot be stockpiled in the absence of energy
storage systems and must also be used when available, as otherwise
they lose energy potentials (Evans et al. 2012, p. 4141). Such load
balancing can be addressed with pumped-hydroelectric storage, where
water is pumped to a higher elevation during low demand, and then
released through turbines to produce electricity when required. Nevertheless, specific geographic conditions, including a suitable terrain that
can accommodate an elevated reservoir, are required for the application
of such storage technology. China was targeting 40 GW of pumpedhydroelectric storage by 2020 as part of ongoing efforts to cut high
rates of wind and solar power curtailment (PVTECH 2019). Besides,
the abovementioned hydrogen technology has been discussed in China
as a potential storage solution for intermittent wind and solar electricity
generation, which can overcome the geographic constraint linked to the
construction of pumped-hydroelectric storage projects.
Due to the inconvenient locations of most hinterland wind and solar
power plants, China has been making a big bet on offshore wind power
projects that are at the doorsteps of its coastal industrial bases. The 12th
five-year special plan of wind power technology development formulated
by the Ministry of Science and Technology included the key technologies research and development of high power wind turbines, such as
“10 MW wind turbine overall design technology,” “3–5 MW permanent
magnet direct drive (PMDD) wind turbine industrialization technology”
and “7 MW-class wind turbine development and industrialization technology” (Wu et al. 2014, pp. 454–455). China has already had the
ability to design and manufacture large-scale offshore wind turbines, with
hoisting and trial operation for 6 MW offshore wind turbines having
been completed. Nevertheless, as compared to onshore wind power, the
development of offshore wind power is still facing difficulties in building
power transmission, harnessing offshore harsh natural environments and
fulfilling multi-sectoral coordination and management.